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(The Center Square) – Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne presented a breakdown of the governor’s proposed budget Tuesday to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, prompting an array of questions from lawmakers on a variety of issues.
Dardenne laid out how Gov. John Bel Edwards hopes to spend a flood of $2.83 billion in extra revenue for the upcoming fiscal year, money that includes $1.4 billion from the American Rescue Plan (ARP), $700 million in surplus from fiscal year 2021 and an $853 million excess for fiscal year 2022.
“We have about $3 billion in one-time money available to us,” he said. “We’ve always said we will not use nonrecurring dollars for recurring purposes.”
Spending from the ARP would devote $550 million for the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund to ensure a $750 million balance necessary to avoid an automatic tax on employers. Another $275 million is earmarked for transportation projects, which include $100 million for the Lake Charles I-10 bridge, $100 million for I-49 South, $50 million for a DOTD Opportunity Fund for federal grant matches and $25 million for the Baton Rouge to New Orleans railroad.
About $193 million in ARP money would go toward 81 water projects, as well as $104 million toward 31 sewer projects.
The governor would devote $175 million in fiscal year 2021 surplus to the rainy day fund and $70 million to unfunded liabilities, as required by the constitution. Another $196 million would go toward federal matching funds for highway and infrastructure projects, $150 million toward the coastal master plan, and $109 million for capital outlay for deferred maintenance on state buildings.
“Every time we fail to meet a deferred maintenance obligation it … increases the cost down the line,” Dardenne said. “This would be money very well spent.”
The $847 million excess for fiscal year 2022 – what’s left after a $400 million federal repayment for repair of the New Orleans levee – would go toward $450 million in debts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, $50 million for an early childhood fund for local grants, $42.5 million for Department of Transportation and Development federal matching funds and a $500 million deposit in a new fund for a bridge over the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge.
“This gives us the opportunity for the first time … to put real money to these mega projects,” Dardenne said, adding that the large sum for the Mississippi River bridge is intended to show the state is committed to the project.
Other supplemental spending for 2021-22 would include $1.5 million for the Northwest Louisiana crime lab, $3 million in death benefits for military families, $5 million to cover expenses for the NCAA final four, $6.9 million for internet work, $10 million for the Louisiana Outdoors Forever Fund to promote the state’s outdoor heritage, $16.7 million for corrections and public safety, $65 million toward a backlog of judgements and another $65 million for capital outlay projects, Dardenne said.
Several lawmakers raised questions with the $500 million set aside for the Mississippi River bridge, with Rep. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge, pointing out the money “couldn’t then be used for a different purpose.”
“We know this is a project that has got to happen sooner or later,” Dardenne said. “It’s just to show our commitment … with a separate fund.”
Senate President Patrick Page Cortez, R-Lafayette, questioned whether it was too early to set aside $500 million for the bridge, and whether the money would be better spent on debt.
“Is that the best use of the money, putting it in a fund for 10 years before we get it off the ground?” he questioned, noting that online sports wagering could eventually bring in additional revenue.
“I think the time is now to create a source of funding to move on,” Dardenne said.
Sen. Mack White, R-Baton Rouge, expressed skepticism lawmakers can find support to devote $500 million to the bridge now, pointing out the money represents about three-quarters of the excess for 2022.
“I don’t know how to hold $500 million for years and years,” he said. “I don’t know if we can get three-quarters of the excess into that.”
Some lawmakers stressed the need to distribute funding and projects equitably to rural areas of the state, while others sought specifics on the early childhood program and other spending. Several lawmakers also questioned whether the budget should include tax savings.
Rep. Blake Miguez, R-Erath, specifically took issue with $5 million going toward the NCAA Final Four to cover costs associated with a potential decline in attendance because of the pandemic, citing the city’s restrictive policies as a root cause.
“Why does the state of Louisiana need to spend their money for the decisions of local officials?” he questioned.
Dardenne countered by citing the statewide impact of the event.

November 10, 1957 ~ January 21, 2022

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Glenda Faye Ware, 64, who died Friday, January 21, 2022 at her residence. Fr. Andre Metrejean will officiate the service.
Glenda was a loving and devoted wife and mother.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Dewey Ray Ware; son, Arthe Ware; granddaughter, Ashley Nerole Ware; two grandsons, Gabriel Ware and Zander Ware; and sister, Patricia Ann Romero.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthe Joseph Guidry and the former Hazel Mary Breaux; daughter, Angi Ware; brother, Patrick Wayne Romero; and sister, Charlene Guidry.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Thursday, January 27, 2022 from 9 a.m. until time of services. A rosary is being prayed at 2:30 p.m.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

DELCAMBRE — A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Mary Jane Bourque Galtier will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. Fr. Buddy Breaux will be the celebrant. Following the Mass, Mary Jane will be laid to rest at the church cemetery.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Evangeline Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m., with the Rosary being prayed at 5:30 pm. Visiting hours will resume on Thursday at 8:00 am until 10:30 am dismissal.
Mary Jane was born on April 4, 1932 to the late Albert and Olita Hoffpauir Bourque and was an only child. She passed away on Monday, January 24, 2022 at her residence in Delcambre at the age of 89.
Mary Jane was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church and St. Anne’s Altar Society. She gave of herself for many years as a caretaker, at Delcambre High School and the US Postal Service.
She enjoyed fishing, crabbing and spending time with the ones she loved. Above all, Mary Jane was dedicated to her family.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Vicky Galtier Breaux and husband Raymond Breaux and Wendy Galtier and companion Mike Stelly; one son, Albert Galtier all of Delcambre; ten grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Curdis Galtier; infant daughter, Olita Galtier and her daughter in law, Julie Ann Fields Galtier.
Pallbearers will be John Breaux, Joshua Breaux, Albert Galtier, Albert O. Galtier, Keith Decoux, Draven Galtier and Eric Primeaux.
Family and friends are encouraged to share their condolences and memories with the family by visiting Mary Jane’s memorial page at www.evangelinedelcambre.com
Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of Delcambre is in charge of arrangements.

Ramsie Baumgardner was only on this Earth for 18 years. But, based on the attendance at her vigil on Monday night, she touched many people.
Family, friends, and the community gathered to remember the life of the 18-year-old North Vermilion senior at the North Vermilion High School gym. There were around 1,800 people in attendance.
Baumgarder was killed Saturday night in a two-car accident on La. 167, north of Abbeville. Vincent Funeral Home in Abbeville is handling funeral arrangements. She is being buried today.
At the vigil, classmates, teachers and NV Principal Denise Lotief spoke about what they remembered about Baumgardner.
“Right now, there are no words that can describe the feelings of our family,” said Lotief about the school hurting due to the loss of Ramsie. “We are truly missing someone we love. But, tonight, we are here to celebrate Ramsie. We want to celebrate her fun and free-spirited nature.”
North Vermilion teacher Shontelle Hebert said she first met Ramsey when she was a freshman. Ramsie told Shontelle she wanted to be on the yearbook staff as a freshman. Eventually, she landed on the yearbook staff.
“Ramsey got to school full of speed and stayed like that the entire day,” said Shontelle. “What I remember about Ramsie? She would dig on my desk, and I was not too fond of that. She wanted food. I would also get random selfies on my cell phone.
“She would always stop and talk to me in the hall. I will miss her smile. She was a bright light around our school,” Hebert said.
Ethan Wiltz, her cousin, said he will miss his best friend. “She was a shining star to me. I can not believe that she is gone.”
Estelle Lebourgeois transferred to North Vermilion from Lafayette. One of the first students she became friends with was Ramsie.
“She was also so bubbly. She has made me laugh uncontrollably. If you ever had a chance to meet Ramsie, you knew she was too good for this world. She would light up every room she was in with her personality. She has taught so many people about life and how to live it. She has made her mark on me.”
Chemistry teacher Louis Boulet spoke about the first time she met Ramsie. She said Ramsie walked into her classroom, stuck our her hand, and introduced herself to Boulet.
“She had the brightest, confident smile,” said Boulet. “No matter who she sat with, she met a friend. She would never stop talking. But, then, she would tell me she was not talking while talking.”
Dr. Michael Norris, the high school minister for St. Alphonse Catholic Church, spoke highly about Ramsey.
“She sees people,” Dr. Norris told the student body. “She saw all of us. There was no one outside her radar. That is an amazing legacy.”
Ramsie is survived by her father, Brian Baumgardner and second mom, Kristi; mother and second dad, Ali and Clay Vincent.